Thunder ‘committed’ to keeping Paul George beyond NBA trade deadline

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

The Oklahoma City Thunder are a team with three legitimate superstars. They are trying to figure out how to play together in a small market. Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony all playing alongside one another is a dream scenario for an NBA team. However, it has been anything but a done deal that they’d be successful this season.

George has hinted about wanting to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers when he’s given the opportunity this summer. There’s been speculation that Oklahoma City might consider trading the forward before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 8. Apparently, the team is committed to keeping George beyond the trade deadline in hopes they can sign him long-term, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

For now, the Thunder are fully committed to playing out the season with impending free agent Paul George. They still have hope that a strong run in the playoffs could convince him to re-sign in Oklahoma City.

George hasn’t made the situation easy for Thunder general manager Sam Presti. He is reluctant to give any assurance he’ll stay with the team after this season. Despite that fact, Oklahoma City seems willing to take the chance that he will once the time comes by keeping him off the trading block in the last few weeks of the season in which teams can make trades.

In 37 games with the Thunder this season, George is averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. The veteran forward is also shooting an identical percentage from the floor and from three-point range so far this season at 43.6.

Futures

Despite a rough start to the season for Oklahoma City, the superstar trio is starting to figure it out, and the odds of them going the distance have drastically improved. Only time will tell if the Thunder can compete for a title this season or in the near future.